4/30/2009

"The Penguins have been here before and showed terrific push-back against Philadelphia. Goaltending favors the Pens, or it should, and that'll be just enough. Pittsburgh in seven."- Burnside

"Its what I've been waiting for all year long....The two best players in the game finally meet in playoffs...I like the Capitals in 6. - Barry Melrose

According to SI.com,

The Caps' success or failure also may ride on rookie goaltender Simeon Varlamov, a 21-year-old who started only five games during the season before replacing Jose Theodore two games into the Ranger series. Varlamov responded by going 4-2 with a 1.17 goals-against average...However, shutting down the Rangers, who scored the third-fewest goals during the season, is much different from controlling the Penguins and two of the league's top three scorers...."Young goaltenders, they can ride that youth, that energy and have big games and big saves," Bylsma said. "We're going to do our best to try to give him some different looks, some second chances, some pucks that are east-west around the net and see if we can't break him down."

As for Crosby vs. Ovechkin ... well, Mario never played Gretzky in the playoffs, so adjust your hype accordingly. This is history, folks. Hockey gods, we summon thee and ask that you don't make this series stink. Unofficial Non-Binding Preliminary Pick: Penguins.